Copyright 2000 by Brandon Cope
 

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M19 Land Ark

This highly campaign-specific vehicle is for a planetary exploration campaign I am planning (a bit of a cross between Stargate SG-1 and Fringeworthy). All vehicles are transported to other world via a "dimensional platform." The M19 represents the best vehicle available to the organization (which is top secret). It is designed for long term exploration of worlds with hostile environments and is intended to operate alone (only seven have been constructed). Cargo space is used for miscellaneous scientific equipment. Other specialized vehicles are sent in if detailed scientific study is deemed worthwhile.

All vehicles used by the organization have a grid built into them that allows the dimensional transport gear back at the base to lock in on them for recovery (and sending). Also included is a small control box with a half-dozen switches, each sending a pre-recorded message back to the base when tripped (no other contact between vehicles in the field and the Earth base is possible). If the vehicle calls for immediate recovery, there is a lag of some 4-10 minutes before it can be brought back. For contruction purposes, the grid and box have no extra weight or cost.

Most vehicles in the campaign are TL8. All armaments are surplus TL7. Most vehicles are armed in case of hostile natives or animals. The heavier weapons are carried because there is evidence of another dimension hopping race, which may be hostile. Other vehicles include the M23 Mini-Ark (1/3 the size, half the crew, used in pairs), the M213 APC (8 man crew, basically an improved M113) and HUMVEEs in low- threat/earth-normal environments.

 Subassemblies: tracks, three full rotation turrets
 Body Features: 30 degree front Slope on body and turrets
 Propulsion: 800 kW tracked drivetrain and two 8000 lbs thrust hydrojets
 Weaponry (main turret): 152mm ATGM launcher, 127mm SAM launcher, 12x152mm ATGMs, 6x127mm SAMs
 Weaponry (both secondary turrets): 40mm grenade launcher, 7.62mm minigun, 600xHEDP shells, 4000x7.62mm rounds
 Weapon Accessories: full stabilization for all guns and launchers, universal mount for guns in secondary turrets
 Instruments and electronics (each turret): one thermograph (3 mile, Scan ), laser rangefinder (5 miles)
 Instruments and electronics (body): radar (no targeting, 20 miles, Scan 19), thermograph (10 miles, Scan 17), low-light TV (20x, bonus +4/+8 ), 10' sensor periscope for radar/thermograph/LLTV, active sonar (no targeting, 4 mile, Scan 14) light amplification (driver), two medium range scrambled radio, two mini computers, two hardened small computers, eight terminals, inertial navigation system, HUDWAC x3, searchlights x2
 Miscellaneous: 8 Dischargers w/ Blackout Gas (body), full fire supression (body), ST 700 winch, two-man air-lock, complete mini-workshop, operating room, basic tool kits
 Controls: Computer
 Occupancy: Long
 Passengers: None
 Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver and five crew specialists in normal crew stations (body), eight crashwebs
 Accomodations: 6 bunks
 Envirnmental Systems: 8 NBC kits, full life support for 8 men, 800 man/days rations
 Power: 900 kW radiothermal generator, 4 rechargable E-cell batteries
 Access, Cargo and Empty Space: Primary Turret - 5.21 cf empty space, Secondary Turrets - 3.8 cf empty space, Body - 10/39 cf empty, 320 cf cargo and 224 cf access space
 Volumes: Body 3000 cf, Primary Turret 50 cf, each Secondary Turret 15 cf, Tracks 1800 cf; Surface Area: Body 1248 sf, primary turret 81 sf, each secondary turret 36 sf, tracks 888 sf, Total Area 2289 sf
 Structure: heavy frame
 Hit Points: Body 3744, Primary Turret 243, Secondary Turret (each) 108, Track (each) 2664
 Structural Options: sealed, improved suspension, basic chameleon, basic sound baffling
 Armor (body/turrets): PD 5 DR 300 front, PD 4 DR 200 all other sides
 Statistics: Loaded Weight 137,835 lbs (68.92 tons), Volume 4880 cf, Size Modifier +8, Price $2,320,900, HT 10
 Ground Performance: Speed 44 mph, gAccel 3 mph/s, gDecel 10 mph/s, gMR 0.75, gSR 7, very low ground pressure, 4/5 off-road speed
 Water Performance: can float, drag 2668, motive thrust 16000 lbs, top speed 11 mph, wAccel 2 mph/s, wDecel 10 mph/s, wMR 0.25, wSR 6, Draft 3.4 feet